Coming as part of the UK Government-funded WhiskHy project, Beam Suntory – the producer of Jim Bean, Maker’s Mark and Suntory Whisky – and Supercritical Solutions trialled the hydrogen-powered operations at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka, to showcase the potential of Net Zero distilling.
Regarded as a traditional distilling method, direct firing uses a flame rather than indirect heating by steam coils, typically using natural gas. However, the “world-first” trial used 100% hydrogen to heat the still.
The companies have confirmed to H2 View, the hydrogen used in the trial was “sourced locally and not certified as green.” However, in subsequent phases, they will be looking to produce hydrogen locally from renewable sources that will be classified as green.
By using 100% green hydrogen, the firms have said carbon emissions from the distilling process will be eliminated.
Alistair Longwell, Head of Distilling and Environment at Beam Suntory, explained, “We have an ambition to achieve Net Zero emissions across our entire value chain by 2040, and it is through unique collaborative projects such as WhiskHy that we will get there.”
A portion of the whisky is set to be casked in Scotland at Beam Suntory’s Glen Garioch Distillery in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Backed by £2.9m funding from the UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero’s (DESNZ) Green Distilleries competition, Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said he was “thrilled” that the companies had achieved the new milestone.
Supercritical last November (2023) completed a demonstration of its green hydrogen water electrolysis method which it hopes will allow distilleries to produce and store hydrogen on-site.
The membrane-less, iridium and compressor-free solution is hoped to tackle supply chain challenges while also reducing green hydrogen production costs.
Read more: Hydrogen-based whisky production facility achieves milestone
Matt Bird, CEO of Supercritical, said the Japanese trial marked a significant stride in hydrogen fuel advancement while setting the stage for further progress.
The companies have plans to introduce 100% green hydrogen at the Glen Garioch Distillery.
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